Singapore is now a vassal state of India

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Budget carrier Air India Express to fly direct from Singapore to India’s Mangaluru from January​

Air India Express will start operating twice-weekly flights between Singapore and the Indian city of Mangaluru from Jan 21.PHOTO: AIR INDIA EXPRESS/FACEBOOK

Gabrielle Andres
Dec 31, 2024

SINGAPORE – Travellers from Singapore can take a direct flight to the Indian south-western coastal city of Mangaluru when low-cost carrier Air India Express starts a new service in January.

The budget airline will start a twice-weekly service between Singapore and Mangaluru on Jan 21 that will mark the first time a direct flight is available between the two cities, said Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Air India Express in a joint statement on Dec 30.

Air India Express – the low-cost arm of India’s flagship carrier Air India – already offers direct flights daily from Singapore to Chennai, four weekly flights to Madurai, and twice-daily flights to Tiruchirappalli – all cities in Tamil Nadu.


Mangaluru, a key port city in the state of Karnataka in the south-west of India, is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, scenic coastlines and thriving industries.

The statement said: “Mangaluru is a hub for business, education, healthcare and tourism, offering diverse opportunities for travellers.”

The new flight service will take off from Changi Airport Terminal 2. Departures will be on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.25pm.

Flights to Singapore from Mangaluru will depart on the same days at 5.55am in India (8.25am Singapore time).

The airline will offer in-flight meals, flexible fare options and XpressBiz seats, which are similar to business class seats.

Travellers can also opt to book holiday packages – including accommodation, transport and experiences – through the Air India Express website under the Xpress Holidays platform.


Dr Ankur Garg, chief commercial officer of Air India Express, said: “This new route underscores our commitment to enhancing connectivity between Singapore and South India, a region with deep cultural ties to Singapore.

“Our expanded network now caters to a broader segment of travellers, offering a variety of options for both business and leisure.”

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, CAG executive vice-president for air hub and cargo development, said the new route “strengthens Changi’s growing connectivity into India, bringing the total connected city links to 18”.

Several major carriers – including Singapore Airlines and Air India – operate direct flights to and from Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru.

“Singapore will be Mangaluru’s first international link into South-east Asia, and we look forward to welcoming both leisure and business travellers through Changi,” said Mr Lim.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

S’pore must manage new arrivals with utmost caution, but also stand firm against nativism: SM Lee​

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a dinner hosted by the Singapore Indian Development Association and 14 other Indian community organisations on Jan 11. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Anjali Raguraman
Jan 23, 2025

SINGAPORE - Singapore relies heavily on immigrants and foreign workers – who raise political sensitivities in many societies – to top up its population base and talent pool, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The inflow and integration of new arrivals must therefore be managed with the “utmost sensitivity and caution, to ensure the flows are balanced and sustainable”, noted SM Lee.

“But we must also stand firmly against nativism and xenophobia, and welcome the new arrivals to become part of our extended family,” he said in a speech at a dinner hosted by the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) and 14 other Indian community organisations on Jan 11.


SM Lee said Singaporeans should help these new arrivals adapt progressively to the way things are done here, and to the country’s social norms and ethos. It is an ongoing process that takes time, but gradually they will integrate into the local community, he added.

“This is how earlier generations became Indian Singaporeans, and it will happen with this generation, and with new arrivals from other groups and places too,” he said.

This is how the Singaporean identity can be sustained and enriched, and the way to build a cohesive and inclusive society that is “connected to the world, strengthened and not divided by our diversity”, he said.

SM Lee was addressing around 2,000 guests, including Cabinet ministers, MPs, Indian leaders and volunteers who attended the appreciation dinner at Marina Bay Sands’ Sands Grand Ballroom.

A tribute video was screened, and organisers gifted him intricately designed elephant sculptures as a token of appreciation for his support for the Indian community during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2024.

SM Lee said the Indian community has progressed with the nation, and made considerable contributions in many fields.

While the community may be small, it has played a full role in Singaporean society and worked with other communities to contribute in many ways, he added.

This shows the success of Singapore’s multiracial model, which has created full and equal opportunities, a harmonious society and better lives for all, including the minority communities, SM Lee said.

He acknowledged the migrants from many parts of the Indian subcontinent – including Tamils, Malayalees, Telugus, Sindhis, Punjabis, Bengalis and Sinhalese – who came to modern Singapore in its earliest days in search of a better future, and who formed part of the Singapore story.

“These different groups sank roots here, formed bonds with one another, and out of this kaleidoscope of backgrounds, there gradually emerged a distinctive and proud Singaporean Indian community,” he said.

Ms Indulekha, a volunteer with the Malayalam Language Education Society, handing SM Lee Hsien Loong a flame to light a vilaku, or traditional oil lamp, on Jan 11.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
SM Lee said the Singaporean Indian community is flourishing, benefiting from the efforts of self-help community organisations, such as Sinda, and the People’s Association’s Indian Activity Executive Committees Council, or Narpani Pearavai.

Cheques of $150,000 each were presented to the Singapore Indian Education Trust and Sinda during the dinner.

The community organisations can do good work because of the strong support of many selfless volunteers, he said, noting that their ranks include those who have moved to Singapore only recently.

Some have become permanent residents or citizens, while others are here temporarily, for school, family or work.

Regardless, they should be applauded for willingly stepping up to volunteer, said SM Lee, noting that this new crop comes from a wider range of backgrounds and places than earlier generations of Indian immigrants.

They add vibrancy and dynamism to Singapore’s Indian culture, and thus are contributing to the community and the country, he added.

The strength of the Indian community here has enabled it to reach out confidently to the rest of the world, SM Lee said, noting that Singapore has developed a healthy and extensive relationship with India and other countries in the subcontinent.

The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) with India has helped to foster extensive trade, investment, and travel links between the countries, he said.

“Many Indian companies have set up in Singapore to serve the region, while many local Indian businesses have successfully forayed into the Indian market,” he added.

“India is growing, and on the move,” said SM Lee, with Singapore seeing many opportunities to expand cooperation on several fronts such as bilateral trade, skills training and fintech, alongside exploring fields like healthcare, as well as digital and green economies.

“Singapore has a good brand name in India, and we have enjoyed very good ties with successive Indian governments,” he said, urging the Indian business community to make the most of these advantages.

 

[Boonsiong]

美

 

[winnipegjets]

When Sinkapore has 3 million CECA living here (not too long to realize), Modi can declare Sinkapore an Indian state.

 

[birdie69]

When Sinkapore has 3 million CECA living here (not too long to realize), Modi can declare Sinkapore an Indian state.

Does LHL love it becomes indian state?

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Indian industrialist Tarun Das receives honorary Singapore citizenship​

Former director-general of India’s Confederation of Indian Industry Tarun Das personally spearheaded many initiatives to build bridges between Singapore and India.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Anjali Raguraman
Jan 23, 2025

NEW DELHI - Singapore conferred honorary citizenship on Indian industrialist Tarun Das, 85, in recognition of his contributions to championing Singapore-India relations over several decades.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the award to Mr Das, who is the former director-general of India’s Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Jan 15.

Mr Tharman is currently on a five-day visit to India to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and India.

In his role as director-general of CII, which champions and facilitates business for Indian industries and where he served for more than 40 years, Mr Das personally spearheaded many initiatives to build bridges between Singapore and India, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

It described him as “one of Singapore’s strongest advocates in India”, adding that he went beyond trade and economics to foster closer ties between people on both sides.

Mr Das, who first led a delegation of Indian industrialists to visit Singapore in 1993 during the nascent stages of India’s economic liberalisation, said the honorary citizen award was very special, and that he was very emotional and humbled.

Speaking to the Singapore media before the ceremony, he recalled how then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong had motivated the group and “wanted to start an ‘India-Singapore fever’”.

This initial meeting laid the foundation for annual visits to Singapore by CII to engage Singapore’s political leaders and businesses on developments in both countries and the region.

“We have stayed firm with each other... there were lots of ups and downs. Sometimes the fever would go up, sometimes it would come down, but it was a great ride,” Mr Das said.


He noted his longstanding relationships with “key personalities” among Singapore leaders, including the likes of Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who negotiated the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. The free trade pact was inked in 2005.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the award to Mr Tarun Das at a ceremony held in New Delhi on Jan 15.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
On the Indian side, it was former prime minister Manmohan Singh who was a “constant figure, who encouraged (Indians) to look east and work with Singapore”, Mr Das said.

He added: “It’s been a great ride and the future will be even better, because I see that the current leadership on both sides is determined to take the relationship forward.”

Singapore instituted the honorary citizen award in 2003 to recognise foreigners who have made extensive contributions to Singapore or who have made significant impact in the areas of business, science and technology, and information communications, among other sectors.

It is the country’s highest recognition for a non-Singaporean.

Mr Das, who was awarded the Singapore Public Service Medal in 2004, is the second Indian to receive Singapore’s honorary citizenship. The late Ratan Tata, former chairman of the Tata Group, was conferred the same award in 2008 for being a strong advocate of the Republic, and for his valuable contributions to its economic transformation.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore and India’s ‘natural partnership’ on new trajectory: President Tharman​

Anjali Raguraman
Jan 23, 2025

NEW DELHI – Business links between Singapore and India are thriving and the “natural partnership” between both countries is on a new trajectory, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Newer areas of collaboration include advanced manufacturing and work in the digital and sustainability spaces.

“We are exploring new initiatives going beyond the existing, very active relationship that we have,” said Mr Tharman, who addressed the India and Singapore media after a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Jan 16.


Mr Tharman, who is in India for five days to mark 60 years of Singapore-India relations, was welcomed by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other dignitaries.

Both countries had agreed to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Mr Modi’s visit to the Republic in September 2024.

This would deepen existing areas of cooperation and enable new ones.

“I’m optimistic for our relations with India because our leaders see eye to eye... We are natural partners,” Mr Tharman said.

He added that Singapore is invested in India’s Viksit Bharat @ 2047, a road map that seeks to ensure India emerges as a “developed nation” by 2047 – 100 years after its independence.

Several collaborations are already in the works, such as a joint flagship training programme for industry-ready skills in India’s young population, and initiatives to deepen the countries’ partnership in green energy.


Singapore is helping to build up India’s semiconductor ecosystem and working on new generation and net-zero emission industrial parks.


Mr Tharman said Singapore and India are exploring the possibility of a data corridor between the Republic and Gujarat’s financial hub Gift City, “so that our financial institutions can exchange data on a safe and trusted basis”.

“Sustainability is a major priority for both India and Singapore and there too, we’re working actively to look at a corridor for renewable energy,” he added.

“Singapore has been the leading foreign investor in India for several years, and we are now committed to investing in and participating in India’s ambitious plans for the future,” said Mr Tharman, in a speech at a state banquet hosted by President Murmu later in the day.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam speaking at a state banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu (in red).ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
He noted the sheer speed and scale of India’s rapid transformation in the last 10 years, such as advances in social and economic development, that has seen the country’s rural poverty being cut by more than half in the last decade.

He also pointed out India’s digital revolution that was rolled out on an unprecedented scale, giving everyone from street vendors to farmers access to bank accounts, health accounts and cashless digital payment systems.

Through platforms like the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, Mr Tharman said both countries will continue to review and refresh the bilateral agenda in their mutual interests.

“With each of these new initiatives, we also show how it is possible to achieve mutual prosperity and trust between nations, in an increasingly uncertain and fractious world,” he said.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the presidential palace in New Delhi on Jan 16.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Following his visit to New Delhi, Mr Tharman and a delegation from Singapore – including Singaporean business leaders – will visit the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Jan 17 and 18 to explore business and economic opportunities in the state.

“I know that India has high ambition for Odisha, and indeed it has great promise,” he said after the ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, adding that the delegation will be “going in with their eyes open” to learn as much as they can, and look for opportunities for collaboration.

“The people are hungry... They’ve got natural advantages and their natural resources, and Singapore will look at opportunities from logistics and connectivity to petrochemicals and other areas.”

On Jan 16, Mr Tharman also visited the Raj Ghat memorial to lay a wreath in tribute to independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

He also held a meeting with Mr Modi, and meetings with a slate of other ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

• Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in a bilateral meeting with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Taj Mahal Hotel on Jan 16. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat was also present.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in a bilateral meeting with Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Jan 16.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

 

[zhihau]

To hell with CECA!

 

[ftan42]

never thrust the ceca, have too must disappointment with them, keeps flip flopping or flip prata